Title: Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace
Author(s): James Proimos
Illustrator/Photographer: James Proimos
Publisher and Year: Little Brown Books for Young Readers 2009
Number of pages: 40
Genre: Fiction, Family
Analysis:
1) Summary:
Paulie Pastrami is a seven year old boy who dreams to spread world peace by the time he turns eight. The story shows Paulie’s flaws like not wearing matching socks and not knowing how to whistle. But he continues to do good acts throughout his neighborhood, school, and local businesses to spread world peace.
2) Theoretical Framework:
On the first page, there is a picture of Paulie eating a whole pizza, racing a cat named tiger, and his aunt giving him kisses. These pictures were to show his flaws and to be funny. The text states Paulie being a tiger in a when the cat is actually named tiger. Also, the text says Paulie was kissed by a girl when it was really his aunt. The next picture depicts Paulie who tries to whistle. This picture is for laughs because the kid head is almost as big as his body which kids will probably find funny. After, there’s a picture of Paulie’s feet with mismatch socks. This was to show how Paulie had flaws and to be goofy for kids. The next picture shows how Paulie had all the equipment for hockey but he was still picked last. This page gives off some kind of sadness and wants the reader to wonder how Paulie, out of all people, would achieve world peace. Next, Paulie is depicted watering a flower and reading to a tree. This is to show Paulie sweet and caring side. Thereafter, Paulie is on the ground next to a river looking at the fishes and ducks swim past. This shows that he loves nature and appreciates it. Afterwards, Paulie is apologizing to his and she is not accepting then the next pages she appears with a doll that looks like her. This shows that Paulie is apologetic and was willing to do anything to make up the mistake to his sister. Then Paulie begin to pass out cupcakes to sad people around his school, they would be happy after that. This showed how Paulie wanted to change others mood for the better. Lastly, Paulie goes around to neighborhood businesses that is named world and passes cupcakes to people. This shows how Paulie is considered to save the world in a fun imaginary cute way for the children.
3) Illustrations:
The illustrations matched with the narrative greatly. There were some ways it had conflicts but it fit the story well.
4) Commentary:
The author explains Paulie always wanted world peace and was very big on cupcakes so he decided to bring them together for the book.